Two members of the Minnesota Vikings scored touchdowns for the NFC during the 2018 Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida on Sunday.
He was not originally voted to this season’s Pro Bowl, but Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith made the most of his opportunity on Sunday during the NFL’s annual all-star game.
Midway through the second quarter of the matchup, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger chucked a pass deep downfield and right into the hands of Smith. The Vikings safety then proceed to take the football and run 79 yards the other way for a touchdown.
Smith’s pick six was one of many contributions for the players that represented Minnesota at Sunday’s Pro Bowl. Unfortunately for the NFC, the efforts from the Vikings’ players were not enough to get a victory as the AFC walked out the stadium this weekend with a 24-23 win.
The NFC got their first points of the day after New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees found Minnesota receiver Adam Thielen in the first quarter for an eight-yard touchdown. Thielen finished his afternoon with three catches for 25 yards and a score.
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Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph led all NFC pass-catchers on Sunday with seven receptions for 70 yards on eight targets. Rudolph was unable to make a trip to the end zone, but he was clearly a favorite target of the NFC’s quarterbacks during the matchup.
On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota cornerback Xavier Rhodes finished his afternoon with four “tackles” (if one can actually call them that in the Pro Bowl) and one pass deflection. Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph managed just one tackle during his time on the field Sunday.
In addition to his interception return for a touchdown, Smith also had two pass deflections during the matchup. However, the Minnesota safety did not have a single tackle on Sunday despite being on the field for a good portion of the game.
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It may not have been the game they wanted to play in to finish their season, but the Vikings’ players proved, once again, on Sunday why their team was able to be so successful in 2017.